The Hindu : Borewells seem the only option at Kolathur

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 07, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Borewells seem the only option at Kolathur

By Karthik Subramanian

CHENNAI, MARCH 6. Sinking borewells more than 100 feet deep for potable water would have been a joke at Kolathur a decade ago.

But today, it is a reality that is staring at the faces of residents. Families are forced to spend more than Rs. 40,000 to sink borewells. Those who cannot afford are moving out of city limits in search of watery pastures.

The region, falling under the North Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, is known for its severe inundation problems during the monsoon season — comparable to Velachery in south Chennai. Kolathur lake, by the side of Red Hills road from Kolathur to Villivakkam, has been severely encroached upon. Several concrete houses have been built right in the centre of the lakebed.

Once considered a water-rich zone of the city, Kolathur (loosely translated from Tamil means ``an area of water bodies'') has joined the list of water-starved areas. So much so that residents fear that the damages could be irreversible.

B. Purushotaman, correspondent, Everwin Matriculation Higher Secondary School at Kolathur, termed the scarcity `unprecedented.' ``Kolathur has always been known for its quality of water. Even during 2001 drought, the impact was minimal here. But now there has been a frenzied sinking of borewells.''

M.S. Rajaraman, a resident of Sarojini Nagar, said ``there is so much talk about desilting temple tanks and converting them to rainwater harvesting structures. But the twin tanks belonging to Sivan Koil here have been encroached on. Ultimately, this has led to such poor groundwater levels.''

If sinking of borewells is an alternative that Kolathur residents are considering, such an option does not even exist for the blue-collar residents of Kodungaiyur and adjoining areas. Groundwater at Harbour Colony, Velankanni Nagar, Sastri Nagar, MRL Colony and Venkateswara Colony has turned saline over the years.

Since the residents cannot afford private tankers or cans, they turn to private suppliers from adjoining Madhavaram. The price per pot of water is Rs. 5. R. Sitrarasu, president, Harbour Colony Residents Welfare Association, said more Metrowater tankers were needed to ensure equitable distribution. Since roads are narrow in the region, traffic jams occur almost every time a tanker makes a stop.

``The tanker driver and cleaner must ensure that all the residents who are queuing up get a fair share of water,'' he said.

A section of residents at Mahakavi Bharati Nagar said they preferred a token system where a local resident would collect 50 paise a pot. ``So what if he was making money? At least that ensured I could get four pots of water. But now the tankers do not even stop long enough for us to fill adequate water,'' said a woman resident of Fourth Cross Road, MKB Nagar.

Metrowater officials acknowledged that there were far more persons dependent on street supply in north Chennai. They however added that they were taking special efforts to ensure equitable distribution.

A senior official said such problems existed a few months ago but were set right after the frequency of the tanker trips was increased.

On an average, the residents were receiving 20-22 litres per day through the tanker supply, the official said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News Update

Stories in this Section

Borewells seem the only option at Kolathur

Kandaleru water likely in three days

Tiny sumo wrestlers, handicrafts on display at Japanese doll expo

CD on Holy Qurbana released

Around the City

In Chennai Today